Remembering 9/11

Firefighters, police officers, paramedics and heroes honored at MMA

Joe Hermosa/Valley Morning Star Harlingen marked the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with an observance of a "Celebration of the American Spirit," held at Marine Military Academy, where local members of the Boy Scouts of America, public safety officials and residents heard patriotic music and remarks from speakers to remember passengers on four hijacked airliners and their victims at the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon and the rescue workers who tried to save them.

By ALLEN ESSEX

HARLINGEN - A small but patriotic crowd honored firefighters, police officers, paramedics and other heroes who died on Sept. 11, 2001, while trying to save victims of terrorist attacks.

They attended a solemn ceremony at Marine Military Academy parade ground, five years after the attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and on an airplane that crashed in rural Pennsylvania.

Harlingen Fire Chief Sig Cantu, Police Chief Danny Castillo and Bill Aston, director of the Harlingen Emergency Care Foundation, gave tributes to 9/11 heroes.

Firefighters, port authority police officers, paramedics and office workers struggled to evacuate people from the World Trade Center and the Pentagon after terrorists slammed airliners into those buildings, the officials recalled.

Michael Mares, spokesman for the Rio Grande Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which sponsored the event, said the terrorists' attacks failed.

"Thousands of lives were lost and millions of dollars of property was destroyed," Mares said. "But, despite the terrible cost of that day, the objectives of the terrorists fell well short of their goal."

Those who organized the use of airliners as missiles only succeeded in awakening Americans, he said.

"Instead of inciting panic and fear in the hearts of our great country, the murderers of 9/11 began a movement that has endured through today," Mares said.

Emergency workers, such as police, firefighters and paramedics all put their lives on the line, Aston said.

Wearing his dress blue uniform, and accompanied by an honor guard of his officers who fired a 21-gun salute, Castillo said, "I'm proud to say I've been a member of this of this agency for 20 years."

Cantu said firefighters can only rely on their training and each other during an emergency.

Mayor Rick Rodriguez said, "It is important for all citizens to never forget that every one of us has a role as citizens to support our community and country," he said. "Every one of us most understand the lessons learned on 9/11."

After the ceremony, one Harlingen couple lamented that more people didn't attend the program on the MMA parade ground.

Ray Ortega of Harlingen, a 1960s Navy veteran, and wife Connie basked in the display of patriotism until everyone began to leave.

"I think this thing should be packed, front to back," Ray Ortega said, motioning to empty bleachers.

"A lot of people are back to normal," Ortega said, noting the lack of plastic flags on auto antennas, which were abundant in the months after 9/11.

But retired Marine Corps. Lt. Col. Glenn Hill, an MMA official, said Americans have not lost their love of country.

"I think patriotism is in the heart," he said. "(Flags) are an outward display. Time erases memories. I think we're still patriotic as a nation."